Confessions of John Andrews

Q. What is the best part of your job?

With 12 retirement communities, it is never boring. Our world of senior dining is changing quickly. I like that I have diverse responsibilities, and I’m involved in a variety of projects.

Q. What is the worst part of your job?

The travel between sites is a couple of hours each way, and Ohio winters are no fun to drive in. But it does give me a lot of time to think.

Q. What do you consider to be your greatest achievement?

I have been married to my wife, my best friend, for 32 years. We have two beautiful daughters. It’s an achievement for them to put up with me.

Q. What is the most unusual foodservice/catering request you have ever received?

When I was a foodservice director at a university, I was amazed at how much food the football players ate.

Q. If you weren't in foodservice what would you be doing?

Definitely something with cars. I love old muscle cars as well as the new ones. I got into foodservice so I could save for my first car, a 1969 Dodge Charger RT 440.

Q. If you had a time machine what historical event or era would you visit?

Seeing the pyramids in Egypt being built would be amazing. I know it was a slow and painstaking process. I’d probably get bored and take an early return. I’ll visit there someday.

Q. Which talent would you most like to have?

The ability to professionally restore old cars.

Q. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

Stop worrying so much. Relax more.

Q. Which living person do you most admire?

Clint Eastwood. All of  his movies “make my day.”

Q. What would be your dream vacation?

A Hawaiian island cruise with my family.

Q. What is your favorite meal?

Getting back to my hometown of Chicago for some real pizza. 

Q. If you could eat dinner with anyone living or dead, who would it be?

Dining with John Belushi in a cafeteria would be a riot. I’d get a picture of that.

Q. What is your guilty pleasure?

Chocolate and licorice made by the Amish.

Q. What will people always find in your refrigerator?

Craft beers, Greek yogurt, 1 percent milk and a bottle of Two Buck Chuck.

Q. What is your most treasured possession?

My Corvette.

Q. What food fad do you wish had never started?

Everything is not better with bacon. I heard there is bacon-flavored coffee now.

Q. What activity is at the top of your bucket list?

Take some laps around the track at a speedway and bury the speedometer.

Q. What is the weirdest food you have ever eaten?

Eating goat at El Rey del Cabrito (cabrito means baby goat) in  Monterrey, Mexico.